$10,680 donation to family of Marine killed by deputy

June 29, 2012

Updated Aug. 21, 2013 1:17 p.m.

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From left, Al Ehlow, Nancy Hunt, Wayne Eggleston and John Ziegler display a check for $10,680, presented Friday on behalf of the San Clemente community to the family of Marine Sgt. Manuel Loggins, shot and killed by a Sheriff's deputy Feb. 7. FRED SWEGLES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Orange County Sheriff's deputies and OCSD investigators on the scene in the aftermath of a deputy involved shooting at San Clemente High School onFeb. 7. DAVID BRO, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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A memorial appeared at San Clemente High School for Sgt. Manuel Loggins, 31, in the campus parking lot Feb. 7 by an Orange County Sheriff's deputy. DAVID BRO, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

From left, Al Ehlow, Nancy Hunt, Wayne Eggleston and John Ziegler display a check for $10,680, presented Friday on behalf of the San Clemente community to the family of Marine Sgt. Manuel Loggins, shot and killed by a Sheriff's deputy Feb. 7.FRED SWEGLES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

In a brief gathering Friday at San Clemente's Marine Monument, a coalition of San Clemente community groups gave a check for $10,680 for the children of Marine Sgt. Manuel Loggins, shot and killed Feb. 7 by a sheriff's deputy.

"It was an outreach from city people who just wanted to do something for the children," said Nancy Hunt, president of the Chamber of Commerce, which administered the donation. "We were so sorry for the loss of their father. The chamber stepped up. (People) all over the city."

Phoebe Loggins, the sergeant's widow, accepted the donation with soft-spoken thanks. At her request, there were no pictures of her or interviews. Her attorney, Brian Dunn, spoke for the family.

Dunn is pursuing a lawsuit against the county, the Sheriff's Department and Deputy Darren Sandberg on behalf of Phoebe Loggins and the Loggins' four children, including two girls who witnessed the shooting and a baby born nearly a month afterward.

Dunn said Friday that his priority is to try to uncover specifically what happened shortly before 5 a.m. Feb. 7 in the parking lot of San Clemente High School. The county District Attorney's Office is investigating but has released no progress reports or findings. The lawsuit alleges a negligent, unjustified shooting of an unarmed man.

Speaking for the family, Dunn thanked the community for its outreach to the children. "This is just part of the good side of people ... a community opening up its arms to a brother who has lost his life and a family that has to go on," Dunn said.

The DA's Office released no new information Friday when asked about progress in the investigation.

Dunn said he, too, is facing challenges trying to learn more. "We still have a police hold on the coroner's report, for example," he said. "Probably the best thing to tell people is that we are going to have all of this information. We want it yesterday – no, we want it the day before yesterday. But eventually we're going to get everything. Once I am able to provide a very comprehensive picture of what happened out there, I want to have the biggest press conference in Southern California at the biggest venue in Southern California and share all of the information that I have with everybody."

Sheriff's officials said Loggins, 31, who was stationed at Camp Pendleton, was shot after he crashed his GMC Yukon through a gate in the SCHS parking lot, got out and ignored several commands from the deputy. Loggins was shot through the driver's side window after getting back in the vehicle, authorities said, while his two daughters were in the back seat. According to a statement from the deputies' union, Loggins was "yelling irrational statements." Officials said the deputy feared for the girls' safety.

Friends, family and colleagues said they were shocked by the shooting, describing Loggins as a disciplined, religious man who respected authority and rank.

At Friday's gathering, Al Ehlow and John Ziegler represented the South Coast Detachment of the Marine Corps League, a local veterans group that participated in the fund drive. Wayne Eggleston, a former San Clemente mayor and founder of The Heritage of San Clemente Foundation and Park Semper Fi, reflected his group's participation.

"This is just an example of the integrity and the heart of the Marine Corps and the people of San Clemente," Dunn said. "It is not lost on Phoebe. It is not lost on the girls. Knowing that you're not alone is very important. And this family knows that they are not alone."

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